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Norfolk.- Edward I (King of England

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D., manuscript in Latin, on vellum, in a fine charter hand, with an illuminated 2-line initial "E" for Edwardus and witnessed by Gilbert de Clare, earl of Gloucester, Anthony Bek, Archdeacon of Durham, Hugh son of Otto [?de Grandson] and 2 others,12 lines, docketed on verso by Peter Le Neve with his initials "PL", also 2 medieval dockets, initial "E" with slight surface wear of gold, a few small holes repaired, folds, slightly creased and yellowed but in remarkably good condition, lacks seal, 150 x 244mm., Shuldham [Shouldham], 18th January 1281.

***Royal charters of this nature are exceedingly rare. Written the year before Edward I commenced his war in Wales. Gilbert de Clare [called Gilbert the Red] (1243-95), earl of Gloucester, and of Hereford; one of the largest landowners in England and one of the most important political factors in the de Montfortian wars of the 1260s, first aiding de Montfort in his subjection of Henry III and then helping to overthrow de Montfort by aiding the Lord Edward, Henry's son. Truculent, self interested and wayward de Clare was nevertheless a firm friend and political ally of Edward I and would have been much in evidence at court, "Between January 1278 and May 1286 he [de Clare] witnessed more royal charters than any of his rank except the earl of Lincoln." - Oxford DNB. Anthony Bek (1) (c. 1245-1311), Archdeacon and later Bishop of Durham; royal official and diplomatist; personal friend of Edward I who helped him raise finance for both his Welsh, Scottish and French wars. In 1281 Bek was "warned by Archbishop Pecham of Canterbury that unless he obtained a papal dispensation he would never be considered for a bishopric." Peter Le Neve (1661-1729), herald and antiquary; most of his manuscript collection were of Norfolk and Suffolk. North Creake, north west Norfolk, 3 miles south east of Burnham Market..

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